How many fans?

[Eladarian]

Hey everyone :)

 

As I've said in some of my previous topics, I'm a n00b when it comes to computer hardware.

 

I currently have this motherboard: http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/motherboards/desktop-motherboards/desktop-board-dp67de.html

 

And I was wondering if I could connected any other coolers to this Mobo other than the CPU, rear and front? What I would like is having 2x140mm fans blowing cold air down to my GPU ( From the top of my Pc-case) . But I really don't know if my Mobo supports more than those 3 ( CPU, rear & front fans ).

 

I hope some of your Tech-nerds out there can help me out :)

 

Now I've tried to make some research on my own, trying to figure out this by myself, other than posting a thread right away saying " I NEED HELP PLOX" so that I wont seem like an unknowing douchebag :S

 

Regards,

 

Eladarian.

 

[_ASSASSIN_]

you can always use this, all you need is just one 3 pin on your motherboard
http://www.swiftech.com/8-WayPWMsplitter.aspx

[Glenwing]

We need to know your case as well :)

 

Usually you have front and/or bottom intake, and rear/top exhaust.

[ProGearUk]

A fan controller would be an option for you. Like ASSASSIN said a could option is the fan controller from Swiftec that uses a molex and allows up to 8 fans to be controlled from one pwm slot on the motherboard. Great if you want fans to be controlled in  groups. 

[Wulfgar]

Information from the official product guide:

 

Fan Headers

The function/operation of the fans is as follows:

• The fans are on when the board is in the ACPI S0 state.

• The fans are off when the computer is in the ACPI S3, S4, or S5 state.

• Each fan header is wired to a tachometer input.

• All fan headers support closed-loop fan control that can adjust the fan speed or

switch the fan on or off as needed.

• All fan headers have a +12 V DC connection (up to 12 V DC when using 3-wire

chassis fans).

• All fan headers are controlled by Pulse Width Modulation.

• The chassis fan header supports linear fan control on 3-wire fans.

The Desktop Board has a 4-pin processor fan header and two 4-pin chassis fan

headers compatible with 4-wire and 3-wire chassis fans.

 

So you have 3 4-pin fan headers available. As for having cold air blowing from the top, I advise against that. Ideally you'd want cold air coming from the front, and heat exhausting out of the top or back of the case, since heat rises naturally. You also want positive air pressure (more air coming in than out of the case) if you want to keep dust buildup down.

 

To have more than 3 fans controlled individually, you'll have to use fan splitter adapters or a fan controller.

[brat137]

You motherboard doesn't support more then the CPU and 2 additional fans so to have more you will need a splitter has the others have said then it depends on your case as to how many fans you can have.

[Eladarian]

The case I have is The Fractal Design Define r4, which supports 2x120/140mm at front, 1x120/140mm rear and 2x120/140mm top :)

[Glenwing]

The case I have is The Fractal Design Define r4, which supports 2x120/140mm at front, 1x120/140mm rear and 2x120/140mm top :)

 

Alright.  I'd set it up as 2x 120/140 in the front, and 1x 120/140 exhaust, and leave the covers on the top two vents to help with dust collection.  Use a fan splitter cable for the two front fans so they can be used from a single header.

[grayperview]

I have an R4 define,

 

I run 4 fans 2 front intake, 1 back and 1 top exhaust....

 

With the R4 you can connect 3 fans to the fan controller, i personally only run the 2 exhausts off the fan controller. I use a couple of PWN arctic fans for front intake off one of my motherboard connectors.

 

Looking at the quick guide to your motherboard it seems you have 3 4 pin fan connectors.

[Eladarian]

The problem is, that my Mobo does not support that controll panel at front ( Or I don't know where to plug it in :/

[grayperview]

the controller at the front runs independently, it doesn't need to be plugged in anywhere on the motherboard you just connect a molex power connector from your PSU to the controller, there are 3 cables coming off it, plug the fans directly into them and it will work.

[Eladarian]

the controller at the front runs independently, it doesn't need to be plugged in anywhere on the motherboard you just connect a molex power connector from your PSU to the controller, there are 3 cables coming off it, plug the fans directly into them and it will work.

Also, I noticed that there's some sort of connectors coming out from that control-panel, can you just plug the fans into those, and control the fan speed from there? That would be neat o0!

[grayperview]

yes, using the switch on the front top right of the case...

[naca1227]

[Eladarian]

Man this really sucks :/ Found out that my PSU doesn't even have a molex-plug, or whatever its called :P I can only connect more Sata cables.... :/

[fade]

Do 3 pin fans work with that swiftech splitter?  I'm assuming they do, you just cant change the speed but I want to make sure.

[_ASSASSIN_]

Do 3 pin fans work with that swiftech splitter?  I'm assuming they do, you just cant change the speed but I want to make sure.

I'm sure that you can change speed with them, 3 or 4 pin

[fade]

I'm sure that you can change speed with them, 3 or 4 pin

 

Pretty sure the 4th pin is what controls the speed for PWM fans.

[_ASSASSIN_]

Pretty sure the 4th pin is what controls the speed for PWM fans.

yeah, I know that, I'm not an idiot, as both asus and gigabyte have both implemented ways to control both 3 and 4 pin fans.

with this it's different though, if you put it into the CPU fan header, it will control all of them (fans put into the splitter)